The efficiency of exercise training in patients with venous insufficiency: A double blinded, randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Exercise training (ET) is current treatment method for venous insufficiency (VI). The comprehensive effect of ET in addition to compression therapy (CT) in VI is not clear.

Method: Twenty-four patients with VI were randomly divided into exercise group (EG) and control group (CG). While CG received only CT, EG was applied ET consisting of aerobic, strengthening and stretching exercises in addition to CT for 2 days/week, 6 weeks at hospital under the supervision of physiotherapist. All the patients were assessed with Chronic Venous Disease Quality Of Life Questionnaire-20, Short Form-36, Duplex Doppler Ultrasonography, Venous Clinical Severity Score, hand-held dynamometer, Visual Analogue Scale, circumference measurements, 6 minute-walking test, and 10-meter-walking test before and after the treatment.

Result: Except of hemodynamic status and edema (p > 0.05), all parameters were significantly different in favor of EG (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: ET in addition to CT was more effective and safe treatment in VI.

Keywords: Exercise training; clinical severity; exercise capacity; quality of life; walking speed.